Clijsters Re-Injured, All-Russian Final at WTA Hasselt

Speculation that former No. 1 Kim Clijsters was returning too soon with her injured wrist proved true Saturday when the Belgian retired in the semifinals with her No. 3-seeded Russian opponent Elena "Lena" Bovina leading 6-4, 2-2.

Clijsters had surgery on the wrist in June, and had not played on tour in four months.

"It's not yet clear what has happened," said Marc Dehous, Clijsters's coach. "Her tendon might possibly be torn again. During the two previous matches Kim wasn't hindered by the injury at all, but today she felt something was wrong while she returned a serve of Bovina. It might be that Kim won't be playing any more this year."

Bovina hit most of her shots during the match to the Clijsters' backhand, and the Belgian resorted to hitting one-handed slices after the wrist started hurting her.

"I'm not very happy to win the match like this," Bovina said. "I've been injured before and I know what she's going through. It's very frustrating and I hope to see her back on the court healthy again soon. To tell you the truth, I still think she was better than most players playing with only one hand."

It will be the fourth all-Russian final on tour Sunday when Bovina faces Elena Dementieva, who defeated unseeded Italian Maria Elena Camerin 6-3, 6-3.

Dementieva is 0-3 in finals in 2004.

Bovina spanked Dementieva 6-1, 6-1 in their last meeting at New Haven right before the US Open.

"I'm looking forward to the final tomorrow," Bovina said. "I beat Elena easily last time when I won New Haven, but she's been in great form at the US Open and loves playing indoors.

The doubles final will be between Spaniards Nuria Llagostera Vives and Marta Marrero and Jennifer Russell and Mara Santangelo.